Beaufort County voters favor elected county treasurer, auditor

With 75 of 84 precincts reporting in Beaufort County, voters favor by 62 to 38 percent keeping the county auditor and treasuer as elected positions.

The referendum asked if voters would change the county’s form of government from council-administrator to council-manager. If it does not pass, the treasurer and auditor will continue to be elected.

Much of Beaufort County Council supports the measure, saying elections for treasurer and auditor have not always provided qualified candidates. Council endorsed the referendum a year after an employee in former Treasurer Joy Logan’s office was charged with embezzlement.

Treasurer Doug Henderson and Auditor Sharon Burris would serve out their terms through 2014 before appointments are made.

The referendum’s opponents, including Henderson, argue against taking power away from county voters.